Artificial dyes
Synthetic colours added to food, cosmetics and textiles, most of them petroleum derived. Several are restricted in the EU while still permitted in the United States, and some carry warning labels there that never appear here. Colour adds nothing to how a product works.
Definition and health context from FDA.
We checked 11,795 products and found artificial dyes reported or likely in 25 of them.
Where artificial dyes turns up
Categories we grade, worst first, as a share of what we scored in each.
| Category | Flagged | Scored | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports Bras | 14 | 15 | 93% |
| Cosmetics | 7 | 8 | 88% |
| School Uniforms | 66 | 78 | 85% |
| Performance Socks | 12 | 15 | 80% |
| Stain-Resistant Bed Sheets | 12 | 15 | 80% |
| Neckties | 14 | 18 | 78% |
| Clothing | 7 | 9 | 78% |
| Yoga Leggings | 13 | 17 | 76% |
| Scrubs | 6 | 8 | 75% |
| Activewear | 64 | 86 | 74% |
| Stain-Resistant Suits | 11 | 15 | 73% |
| Wrinkle-Free Professional Workwear | 11 | 15 | 73% |
| Sports Performance Undergarments | 61 | 85 | 72% |
| Stain-Resistant Professional Workwear | 55 | 78 | 71% |
Where we found real evidence
Reported or likely, lowest scoring first. Not plausibility.
No recalls or warnings have been documented for Thinx underwear. Cotton-blend textiles can carry azo dyes that break down into aromatic amines under heat and moisture; risk is typical for the category but no Thinx-specific evidence exists.
Non-certified incontinence pads commonly trigger contact dermatitis, especially in individuals with sensitive skin or prolonged wear. Synthetic fibers, dyes, and topical treatments on non-organic cotton layers are documented irritants; Lille does not certify m
Unspecified coating and dye systems typically release VOCs during installation and curing. These compounds contribute to outdoor air quality degradation and may pose inhalation risk during and shortly after installation, particularly in enclosed or poorly vent
Liquid lipsticks use iron oxides, mica, and certified colorants (FD&C Red No. 33, etc.) to achieve opacity and shade. While FDA-approved colorants meet purity standards, trace heavy metal contamination (lead, cadmium) in pigment supplies is rare but documented
Fluorocarbon lines contain colorants and UV-stabilizing compounds to maintain visibility and durability. These additives can leach into fresh and saltwater, especially under UV exposure or thermal stress. No independent analysis of Sufix Advance formulation is
Polyester outdoor cushions, especially in deep colors (navy, black, forest green), commonly use azo dyes that can cleave under UV exposure and moisture to release aromatic amines. Bed Bath & Beyond does not certify azo-dye restrictions (e.g., Oeko-Tex Standard
Nylon carpet production involves synthetic dyes and chemical treatment application that off-gas during manufacturing and for weeks after installation. Karastan's lack of low-VOC certification means these compounds are not controlled, and sensitive individuals
New nylon carpet and topical stain treatments emit VOCs, particularly in the first 72 hours. While some Stainmaster lines carry GREENGUARD Gold certification, this specific product (7L879) has no listed certification; off-gassing should be expected and mitigat
Pigments in foundations have been found in trace amounts to contain lead, cadmium, or arsenic in various brands' testing. L'Oréal sources have not published specific heavy metal testing results for this product line; risk remains within industry baseline but u
The colored nylon or polyester exterior is dyed using azo dyes, a common class that can include sensitizers and release aromatic amines with sweat or friction. Timberland does not disclose azo dye restrictions on this product line.
Polypropylene carpets, especially with applied finishes, commonly off-gas formaldehyde, toluene, and other VOCs for 1-4 weeks post-installation. Adequate ventilation is standard mitigation; individuals with chemical sensitivity or respiratory conditions should
Mass-produced upholstered sofas without post-manufacturing off-gassing control typically emit VOCs from polyurethane foam, synthetic fiber sizing, and fabric adhesives for 2-8 weeks after delivery. Formaldehyde-based resins in dyes or bonding agents may be pre
What to buy instead
Highest scoring products with no flag for it, in the categories where it is worst.
Answers about artificial dyes, with every source linked
The other chemicals we screen for
Every product here is checked against all of these, so a product that clears artificial dyes may still be flagged for one of them.
Common questions
What is artificial dyes?
Synthetic colours added to food, cosmetics and textiles, most of them petroleum derived. Several are restricted in the EU while still permitted in the United States, and some carry warning labels there that never appear here. Colour adds nothing to how a product works.
Which products contain artificial dyes?
Of the 11,795 products we have graded, 1,887 are flagged for it and 25 on reported or likely evidence rather than plausibility. Sports Bras is the worst category at 93% of what we scored there.
Is artificial dyes in sports bras?
More than in anything else we grade. 14 of the 15 sports bras we scored carry a flag for it, which is 93%. The full breakdown per product is on each product page.
What can I buy instead?
In the categories where it turns up most, the highest scoring products with no flag for it are RMS Beauty Organic Makeup at 75, Sears Port Authority Y540 Youth Silk Touch Performance Polo at 65, Amazon Essentials Girls' Uniform Skort at 65. Every one of those was graded on the same rubric as the products above.
How do you know?
We do not lab test. Every grade here is built from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, brand disclosures, recalls and third party lab results where those already exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so, and where a brand publishes nothing we score the silence rather than guessing.
16% of everything we grade carries a flag for artificial dyes. See every hazard we track or browse the full products list.
Graded picks you can buy today
The safest product we have graded in each of our biggest categories.
- VOSS VOSS stillExcellent 100/100Check price
- Nikwax Nikwax Conditioner for LeatherExcellent 100/100Check price
- Blazing Needles 74 in by 19 in Outdoor Solid Polyester Tufted Chaise Lounge CushionExcellent 85/100Check price
- Nike Nike PD SoftExcellent 85/100Check price
We may earn a commission on these links, at no cost to you. It never changes a grade.